By Alex Chow and YANG Jianli, published: August 31, 2015 Today marks the first anniversary of the August 31 decision of China’s National People’s Congress prohibiting popular selection of candidates for Hong Kong’s chief executive by the people in Hong Kong. This so-called “Beijing 8.19 Hong Kong political reform” package, violated China’s prior written agreements promising full universal suffrage, when it acquired sovereignty over Hong Kong from Great Britain. This betrayal so outraged the people of Hong Kong that it triggered the 79 day “Umbrella Protest Movement,” or “Occupy Central Movement.” Thanks to the momentum generated by the Movement, on June 18th of this year, the Pan-Democrats coalition there successfully blocked the pseudo-democratic package offered by Beijing’s puppets in the Hong Kong Legislative Council by a landslide vote of 28:8. This dramatic incident was portrayed by some as the beginning of foreseeable...

On August 27, 2015, the Hong Kong Police officially prosecuted three student leaders, Alex Chow, Nathan Law and Joshua Wong for their leadership in last year’s Umbrella Movement, a fight for genuine universal suffrage. Alex Chow and Nathan Law are former and current Secretaries-General of the Hong Kong Federation of Students. They played an important role in leading the Umbrella Movement and were present during the only dialogue with the Hong Kong Government. In April, during the Tenth InterEthnic/InterFaith Leadership Conference hosted by Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China, the Hong Kong Federation of Students was among the first recipients of the Citizen Power Award. We are gravely concerned about the development of their case, and we express our solemn protest against this evil initiative by the Chinese authorities. Student Leaders: Nathan Law, Alex Chow, and Joshua Wong....

Initiatives for China Statement on Current Hong Kong Political Situation The movement Occupy Central, which was seeking popular suffrage in Hong Kong, was abruptly ended by force in December, but not before it had grown into a global phenomenon called the Umbrella Movement. However, Hong Kong residents have never given up their cry for democracy. In recent days, the Hong Kong government has taken steps to stop popular suffrage (or 2017, and to move farther away from path to democracy. It is reported that the Hong Kong Department of Justice stated on January 8 that 22 people involved in the Umbrella Movement would be charged with contempt of court. Civic Party vice chair Tana Chan was been arrested, and more leading individuals will eventually be taken to court. The following individuals have also been questioned: Alex Chow, Albert Ho,...

12 Hours Left: Vote for Joshua Wong as 2014 Time magazine Person of the Year There are 12 hours left for voting the Person of the Year 2014 of TIME Magazine. This poll will end at 23:59 EST today. At this time, Joshua Wong, the Hong Kong student leader at third place of the poll, is on a hunger strike, protesting against Beijing Authority’s ruling on Hong Kong’s democracy. We need your support to vote “Yes” on Joshua, and “No” on President Xi Jinping. The student leader Joshua Wong was arrested when the Hong Kong Government was clearing the protest sites of the Umbrella Movement. The following is a pre-recorded message before his arrest. “I’ll be isolated if I get arrested, which will likely to happen in the next couple of days. I hope the Pan-democrats will fight...

An Appeal to Vote for Joshua Wong as 2014 Time magazine Person of the Year The student leader Joshua Wong was arrested when the Hong Kong Government was clearing the protest sites of the Umbrella Movement. The following is a pre-recorded message before his arrest. “I’ll be isolated if I get arrested, which will likely to happen in the next couple of days. I hope the Pan-democrats will fight in the Legislative Council and consider organizing another referendum on Hong Kong’s democratic reforms. We should hold every defense line and shield array in the streets of the occupied areas in Admiralty and Causeway Bay. It has been two months since the campaign started, and I wish this recording will not be made public. However, I will have been arrested and in detention room if you do hear this recording. ...

November 14, 2014 During the past 50 days, numerous Hong Kong residents and students have joined the umbrella movement, demanding universal suffrage. These protesters have demonstrated courageous morality and a resilient commitment to non-violence that has won wide respect from the international community. Despite all efforts from the students, the Hong Kong government refuses to budge. We remain skeptical of the Hong Kong government’s promise to present to the central government the current situations regarding Beijing’s August 31 decision to reject full Hong Kong democracy. At the same time, Hong Kong government has intentionally demonized the umbrella movement for its commitment to democracy and universal suffrage. These acts of the Hong Kong government have blocked the passage to achieve a breakthrough by both parties for promoting democracy. Under these circumstances, it is a right decision for the Hong Kong students to...

Peace Hong Kong Initiative’s Appeal to APEC on Hong Kong November 5, 2014 With the upcoming APEC summit in Beijing, we urge all leaders attending the meeting to add the Hong Kong issue to their agendas. This will help forward the cause of democracy. These thoughts are in line with the APEC’s core values, though economic themes normally dominate the summits. The APEC summit in Shanghai reached a consensus on anti-terrorism. This time the APEC summit, which is being held in Beijing, includes anti-corruption issues. While APEC pushing forward the free trade zone in Asia-Pacific region, with blueprint for intercommunication and democratic systems are part of the requirements for qualification of its member countries. We also urge the Communist regime in Beijing to reconsider its decision on Hong Kong election, which will help the regional countries to see Beijing’s good...